LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Ministry Partners with Nellis Air Force Base (AFB) to Bring Emotional Support to Military Personnel

“…they're warriors. They put on this suit of armor and no one's getting in. Except for a comfort dog…a dog will love you unconditionally. A dog will sit next to you regardless if you're right or wrong, if you’re hurting, or sad.” David A. Bartlett, Ch, Capt, USAF Chaplain, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada

According to a 2020 report* conducted by the U.S. Department of Defense, the annual suicide rate in the active-duty military is 28.7 per 100,000 service members. “The majority of suicides within the Air Force, within the United States military, is enlisted under 30 years old,” shared David A. Bartlett, Ch, Capt, USAF Chaplain, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.

This tragic loss of life leaves many in the military looking for answers. Members of our Armed Forces are often isolated from their loved ones and seeking a source of comfort while enduring hardships many of us don’t understand.

Since partnering with the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry, Captain Bartlett has witnessed first-hand how the simple presence of LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their trained handlers makes a profound impact in the lives of our service members.

The majority of the airmen at the Base responded joyfully to the comfort and support provided by the Comfort Dogs and their teams. These teams demonstrate their love and care for military service members, and it is evident in the overwhelmingly positive reactions from those who have been visited.

Recognizing the uniqueness of the United States Military as having a different set of circumstances, LCC’s Kare 9 Military Ministry provides professionally trained and certified Golden Retrievers and handlers who are military veterans specifically trained in the unique nature of the military and how to provide human care through their LCC K-9 Comfort Dog. Having a military veteran as the handler is vital since military service members are more likely to open up to one of their own rather than someone who has never served in the military.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Lois (First Good Shepherd, Las Vegas, Nevada) and Salome (Faith Community - Las Vegas, Nevada), together with their veteran handlers, frequently visit Nellis Air Force Base to BE THERE for the military personnel.

“LCC K-9 Ministry comfort dogs are good listeners, non-judgmental and confidential. Many people will talk to a comfort dog before talking to people. It helps them process the stress they are experiencing,” the LCC K-9 teams shared.

The two teams based in Las Vegas have provided human care at Nellis AFB since the fall of 2021. Since then, the Chapel Team from Nellis AFB and the LCC Kare 9 Teams from First Good Shepherd and Faith Community have been providing human care across all units assigned to the base as well as other units across the military who visit the base.
 
In 2022, the Kare 9 Teams made over 35 visits to the base. During the same period, the Kare 9 Teams have had meaningful, one-on-one interactions of human care with more than 10,000 military service members connected to Nellis AFB.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their handlers walk alongside military personal to listen, pray and be a comforting presence. The support provided to the military service members shows the respect, love, and care they hold in their hearts for them.

“It’s been such a blessing getting to serve at the Nellis Air Force Base! Visiting our amazing military members there is a highlight every month,” Lois & Salome veteran handlers shared.

The LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dogs and handlers serve as follows:

• Yellow-ribbon reintegration events
• Military stand-downs
• Visiting VA hospitals and medical centers
• Holiday events (Memorial Day parades and ceremonies, Veterans Day ceremonies)
• Visiting veterans in their homes or nursing homes
• VFW, American Legion, and AmVets events
  

There are currently over 60 LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry dogs in service throughout the United States.
 
* Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, Annual Suicide Report: Calendar Year 2020, Annual Report, (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Defense, 2020), 5
https://www.dspo.mil/Portals/113/Documents/CY20%20Suicide%20Report/CY%202020%20Annual%20Suicide%20Report.pdf

GIVE YOUR GIFT OT BE THERE WITH LCC TO HELP OTHERS

This video shows how interacting with the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs has helped the military personnel at Nellis Air Force Base.